Ducksback Sealcoating

A few questions answered by the Asphalt Sealcoat Manufacturers Association about Sealcoat.

What are Sealcoats?

• Sealcoats generally consist of a mixture of coal tar emulsion, water, mineral fillers, and various other admixtures.
  
• Sealcoats are applied directly to the surface of an asphalt pavement.
  
• Sealcoats do just what the name indicates, seal the top of the asphalt, preventing water from penetrating the surface of the pavement and protecting the top layer of asphalt from oxidation and wear caused by exposure to the sun and air.
  
• Sealcoats beautify the pavement by providing a smooth, black, even surface ideal for painting lines and sweeping.
  
• Sealcoats are designed for off highway use where there are low traffic speeds and tight turning radiuses such as parking lots.
  
• Sealcoats are different from slurry seals that use much coarser aggregate filler and are designed for use on high-speed areas with straight rolling traffic.

What causes asphalt pavement to fail?

• Assuming that the initial asphalt pavement was designed and constructed properly, the primary cause of failure is the penetration of water into the asphalt base.
  
• This process begins with the oxidation of the pavement surface that causes the asphalt to dry and become brittle. Once the surface is brittle it cracks.
  
• If left untreated these cracks grow and allow water to penetrate to the base of the pavement.
  
• When water enters the base of the pavement the base material moves and settles leading to further concentrated cracking.
  
• When the pavement reaches this stage the only option is removal and replacement of the old asphalt.

How does Sealcoating help?

• Sealcoating seals the asphalt pavement, preventing the oxidation and erosion of the top layer of asphalt.
  
• On older pavements sealcoating replaces fine particles lost from the asphalt surface due to oxidation.
  
• Sealcoating seals the small cracks that can turn into large cracks and prevents water from seeping down to the base material.
  
• Sealcoating helps protects the asphalt from the sun as well as the harmful effects of chemical spills such as oil and gasoline.
  
• Sealcoating costs pennies a square foot compared to the dollars needed to repair or replace damaged asphalt.

When should sealcoating be done?

• Generally you should wait a few months before sealing new pavement to allow it time to cure. The A.S.M.A. recommends waiting 6-12 months.
  
• After a surface has been sealed it should be re-sealed every 3-4 years or as necessary.

Ducksback, Inc. is a paving contractor serving Columbia, Lexington, Chapin, West Columbia, Newberry, Sumter, Camden and Orangeburg.
803 790 5514 / Fax 803 787 0066 / Email Us

Home / Service / About / Contact / Site Map